Discovery of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin – Must-See Activities
The Cap Martin Path
Walk along the Cap Martin path, now named “Promenade Le Corbusier,” stretching over a distance of 4.5 km. This trail leads you to the modest cabin of the famous architect Charles Édouard Jeanneret Gris, also known as Le Corbusier, who fondly referred to it as “My castle on the Côte d’Azur.” Start your walk from Carnolès station to reach the coastline and begin the path. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through lush vegetation as you follow the path around the cape. Finish your walk at Buse beach to relax in the sun. For your return, take the train from Roquebrune station back to Carnolès, or walk through the interior of the cape, adding about an extra hour to your journey.
Villa E-1027
Discover Villa E-1027, also known as Villa Eileen Gray, located on the coastline of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. This architectural gem from the 1930s, designed by the Irish architect-decorator Eileen Gray in collaboration with the architect and art critic Jean Badovici, is accessible only via the coastal customs officers’ path. The villa, built on stilts in an “L” shape with a flat roof, generous bay windows, and an interior spiral staircase leading to the guest bedroom, embodies the principles of modern architecture. While integrating the characteristic elements of that era, it also reflects a particular attention to intimacy and comfort, critiquing the overly cold designs of the time. The villa is also known for the murals painted by Le Corbusier in 1938, although their reception by Eileen Gray was mixed. The site also includes Le Corbusier’s cabin and standardized camping units designed by the architect.
Le Corbusier’s Murals and Cabin
In 1938, Charles-Édouard Jeanneret-Gris, known as Le Corbusier, a Swiss-French architect, urban planner, decorator, painter, sculptor, and author born on October 6, 1887, painted eight murals on the site at the request of Jean Badovici, which unfortunately were not always appreciated. Additionally, Le Corbusier decorated the nearby cabanon-restaurant, L’Étoile de Mer, and built a prototype cabin nearby for his wife. Tragically, Le Corbusier drowned in front of this cabin in 1965, adding a somber note to the location’s history. In 1996, the owner of the villa was murdered, and despite its auction in 1992, the villa’s furniture was preserved due to its historical heritage listing. After being abandoned and damaged by squatters in 1998, the villa was classified as a historic monument in 2000 and acquired by the Conservatoire du Littoral, under the management of the Cap Moderne association. Today, the site is managed in partnership with the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, which works to preserve and promote it to the public. The villa also served as the setting for the film “The Price of Desire,” released in 2015, which explores the complex relationships between Eileen Gray, Le Corbusier, and Jean Badovici, both personally and artistically.
